I'm unsure about how to navigate my relationship.
I've been living with my boyfriend for nearly five years, and from the start, I’ve felt more like a mother figure than a partner. I've told him how overwhelmed I am by the constant chores and the bills that seem to rest solely on my shoulders. Although I earn almost double what he does, all the financial responsibilities still fall to me. I tried asking him to take care of one bill, but when I did, my electricity was cut off due to non-payment. He claimed he forgot because “we don’t have a folder for our bills.” It feels like his free time is just that—his—but mine is devoted to managing household tasks. His money is his, while mine seems to be for household expenses too. When I brought this up, he changed his behavior for less than a month before things reverted back to the way they were. Recently, I received a Nintendo Switch as a work gift (I’m in the gaming industry), and he casually mentioned selling it to buy the new model coming out this year, but we’ve never discussed that together. I’m at a loss about what to do. My mother-in-law recently brought up the topic of marriage, and I felt like crying because I’m uncertain about the life I’m living. Yet, I love him deeply and don’t want to break up. He’s never been abusive or unkind to me, but being in my 30s makes me feel like time is running out. I'm really struggling to figure out my next steps.